Climate Change
Mr. KISHIDA’s Visit to the Philippines, as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister
(meetings with President Marcos and Secretary Garin)
April 30, 2026
On April 30, local time, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, a Member of the House of Representatives, is visiting the Philippines as Special Envoy of Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae and Supreme Advisor to the Parliamentary Association of Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), and held meetings with President Marcos and Secretary Garin.
- Mr. KISHIDA held a meeting with H.E. Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr., President of the Philippines. Mr. KISHIDA stated that, in light of the situation in the Middle East, and as Asian countries in particular recognize the importance of resilient energy supply structures, the concept of AZEC, which aims to simultaneously achieve energy security, economic growth, and decarbonization, has become all the more important. He also expressed his appreciation for President Marcos’s attendance at the AZEC Plus online Summit on Energy Resilience held on April 15. Furthermore, Mr. KISHIDA stated that Prime Minister TAKAICHI is determined to develop AZEC hand in hand with President Marcos toward co-hosting the 4th AZEC Leaders Meeting in November with the Philippines. He then handed over the letter from Prime Minister TAKAICHI to President Marcos, and stated his hope that, in this year, the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines, cooperation in various fields will be enhanced with the Philippines. In response, President Marcos welcomed his visit to the Philippines and expressed his deep gratitude for Japan’s support. In addition, President Marcos stated that, in light of the current situation, the importance of AZEC initiatives has increased even further, and that he would like to continue to cooperate closely in order to overcome the crisis. The two also discussed concrete cooperation under the Partnership On Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (POWERR Asia), as well as the direction of the evolution of AZEC with strengthened perspectives on economic and energy resilience.
- Mr. KISHIDA also held a meeting with Ms. Sharon S. Garin, Secretary of the Department of Energy of the Philippines. Mr. KISHIDA expressed his appreciation for the Philippines’ active cooperation to date under AZEC, and conveyed Japan’s hope that they would cooperate as co-chairs at the Ministerial Meeting in September and advance cooperation for promoting concrete projects under the framework of AZEC, which becomes all the more important. In response, Secretary Garin welcomed his visit to the Philippines, and stated that AZEC has become an extremely important platform. She also expressed her intention to further deepen cooperation ahead of the Ministerial Meeting in September and her keen desire to advance cooperation in close partnership with Japanese companies. The two discussed the future direction of cooperation, including the strengthening of AZEC’s functions, and concurred to work in close cooperation. In this meeting, Japanese companies operating in the Philippines also participated, and an active exchange of views with them also took place.